We are in no hurry due to lack of time and money to get all the landscaping done but I look forward to seeing the changes over time.

My build thread is here-
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=41712

My Interior thread is here-
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=51433&p

Here's the front of the house
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The back and sides
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So firstly we want to do that little bit in front of the porch. We're thinking of putting in 4-5 lilly pilly topiarys so that it kind of separates the porch and the kids get the idea that you cant jump across. In front of that we're not sure. Maybe some pretty colorful flowers as the front of the house is quite plain. Maybe some lavendar or something? Any suggestions?

I'm not going for modern, more a garden of lovely scents and inviting birds and butterflies.

Other ideas are maybe to get a native bottle brush tree as I know the birds love them. Any pros and cons? Also I LOVE magnolias and over the weekend I spotted a teddy bear magnolia that I thought would be great out front to the side so that it blocks a bit of sun to our front bedroom. We're looking at about $130 for one of these. HMMM decisions decisions.

Its really a stunning home cc!

Lavender is pretty hardy, and is good luck under bedroom windows.

But I'm useless in the garden!

Thanks tinkster, I have never heard that about lavendar before! I really love the look of it and especially the color. I just think I need something of interest because the house is so plain. Havn't decided on it yet though.

grevilleas I am convinced there's one in every size for every spot and they flower and flower and flower

Well my husband came home with these little purple flowers. Apparently they spread like a little bush. Will probably put more in there but will see how they go.

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This last one is the view looking out our lounge window to the new plants.

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englyn, i'll be putting some in somewhere I'm sure!

Well those flowers havn't spread. LOL In fact while they have been great, I think we should have chosen something different. I don't want to dig them out though cos they still look pretty. They just havn't spread.

We have since put in 2 Alamanda's a Jacaranda tree, a passionfruit vine, a cherry frangipani and a cumquat tree! They are all happy except the frangipani. Not sure if we have done something wrong but we're just waiting and watering to see how it goes.

The Jacaranda is a HUGE concern for me. It was only $10 and while they are a beautiful amazing looking tree I'm very worried about how big its going to get. We are in an area where they grow very well and while the front yard where it is seems roomy enough I have this feeling it wont be. BUT having said that my hubby LOVES it and wants it to stay and says we'll just deal with the issues as they come up. We know they are messy etc... but we're happy to do the work. I just can't help but worry. I certainly don't want to upset the neighbours if they end up with problems. Hopefully that wont happen.

The thing that annoys me too is that if we have to cut it later due to problems we've waited all that time that another tree could be growing and I'd hate to start with a new tree in say 10 years... AND pay hundreds to have it removed. But sadly there's no talking my hubby around.

We've also been put on a wait list for a Teddy Bear Magnolia. They are beautiful!

Ok time for a photo update.

Finally got a new clothes line, I love it as it splits in half in case I dont have much washing or I can both sections up as in the picture.
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Backyard in March. You can see where the water pools up right down the bottom of the block. We're currently trying to fill it the slow way a shovel at a time. LOL And that beautiful grass haha well that just grew by itself.
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Frangipani - cherry, taken when we first planted it. It looks nothing like this now. Dropped all its leaves and flowers and now we're wondering if its too upset about the move to grow?
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View of Frangipani location
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My biggest worry! Jacaranda tree.
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View of Jacaranda and distance to the house
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Not sure what these are. Apparently they spread like crazy so we kind of boxed it in. We're not really gardeners if you havn't already been able to tell. So we're just playing it by ear. Already they have doubled in quantity since this picture was taken. They are a long stem flower that's big and orange.
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Our passionfruit - it's very happy there in that spot. Can't wait to see it grow up!
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We made a couple of hanging baskets as we like the homey feel and its all feeling quite bare still. So thought the baskets would help.
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looking good, those green leafed plants you put in that planter are clivia's (not sure on the spelling) but they dont grow too crazy, they will double up but wont get too out of hand.. you can actually cut the 'babies' out and plant them elsewhere. and the little purple flowers you had at the start are petunias, they wont grow into a bush and they are seasonal they will die and you just pull them out and plant some more.

Thanks mellyjane, kind of a bitsa type garden to start with. We have already done that with the bulbs and replanted the 'babies'. The kids are loving it. I wonder why we thought the petunias would spread. I have a feeling the woman who sold them to us said it. LOL Oh well. Yeah I think they'll need replacing soon. They're nice but it would be good to put something in that is pretty and spreads but not in a crazy way.

Isn't it great to have some greenery?

Clivia's look great in pots too.
I have the same kind of clothesline but have found that I never use just half. Mostly cause I have too much washing but also cause I can't be bothered putting it up and down

The jacaranda can get big but it doesn't look like yours is too close to your house or the neighbour. I expect it will look so pretty that the neighbours won't complain anyway. And I love the colour of your fragipani